Waylaid with a nasty sore throat and stuffy sinuses? This drink is dynamite. Pineapple is the only known source of bromelain, an enzyme used to treat inflammation, especially of the nose and sinuses. Pineapple core is especially rich in the protein, so be sure to include chunks from this section in your mixture. The spiciness of the ginger and cayenne is the perfect scratch for an itchy throat. And the lemon is the perfect zing for awakening and soothing sinuses. Drink a glass of the pineapple mixture straight, or add club soda for a less potent sipper.

The timing of this month’s guide couldn’t be more perfect. I’ve been battling a cold since Christmas Day, and although the worst of it is over, I can tell you for a fact that this tea soothes an uneasy stomach and encourages stuffy nasal cavities to loosen up. Ginger and honey are classic remedies for upset stomach and sore throats, respectively, and the benefits of orange and pomegranate peels were new news to me. Both are high in vitamin C and calcium. Orange peel tea has been used to treat heartburn and indigestion, and pomegranate peel tea has been used to soothe sore throats. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing your fruit for this tea: Organic is absolutely best, as peels touched by chemicals tend to absorb those chemicals.

I’m a huge fan of cheesecake (the actual, regular kind), but I’d always been curious about vegan cheesecake. I made these little bites for a party, so not only was it a nice, guilt-free item among the less healthy options, but it was something that my friend with a gluten allergy could enjoy as well. As you can see, I also made a pan without the gingerbread spices, but topped with pomegranate arils.

Gingerbread lattes are the ultimate indulgence, and my recipe doesn’t cut them any slack. If you don’t have or can’t find whole spices for every ingredient listed, don’t worry. Pinches of ground spices can be substituted. If you don’t have an espresso machine, use instant espresso and try steaming milk on the stove (YouTube has some great demos).

I love curry pretty much any time of year, but it always seems particularly spectacular when it start getting cold out. Even when it comes to picking a restaurant, I tend to lean toward Indian restaurants or other cuisines that include lots of spices in the fall and winter.